An improved solar collector pipe that directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid. The solar collector pipe includes a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe. Internal to the solar collector pipe is an absorbing portion for absorbing solar energy. A conduit portion is also included and comprises a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. The transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid.
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1. A solar collector pipe for conveying fluid to be heated and for removing heated fluid, the solar collector pipe comprising:
a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe; an absorbing portion internal to the solar collector pipe for absorbing solar energy; and a conduit portion comprising opposing wall portions on either side of a vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe that together form an ogive shape in cross-section, the opposing wall portions comprising a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion; wherein the transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid. 10. A solar energy collection system comprising at least two solar collector pipes in fluid flow communication with one another for conveying fluid to be heated and for removing heated fluid, the at least two solar collector pipes each comprising:
a transparent portion for admitting solar energy therethrough; an absorbing portion therein for absorbing solar energy; and a conduit portion comprising opposing wall portions on either side of a vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe that together form an ogive shape in cross-section, the opposing wall portions comprising a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion; wherein the transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid. 29. A solar collector pipe for conveying fluid to be heated and for removing heated fluid, the solar collector pipe comprising:
a fluid conduit comprising: a transparent portion on an external surface of the fluid conduit, the transparent portion having a first end and a second end and forming one of an arc shape, a cambered shape, a parabolic shape, a catenary shape, and a semi-elliptical shape in cross-section; a conduit portion comprising a first opposing wall having a first end coupled to the first end of the transparent portion and a second opposing wall having a first end coupled to the second end of the transparent portion, the first and second opposing walls each having second ends joined together and together forming one of an ogive shape, a dropped ogive shape, an equilateral ogive shape, and a lancet ogive shape in cross-section about either side of a vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe, the opposing walls comprising a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion toward the vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe; and an absorbing portion internal to the fluid conduit and extending along the center vertical axis for at least a portion of its extent. 36. A solar energy collection system for conveying liquid to be heated and for removing heated liquid, the solar energy collector system comprising:
first and second liquid conduits each comprising: a transparent portion on an external surface, the transparent portion having a first end and a second end; a first opposing wall having a first end coupled to the first end of the transparent portion; a second opposing wall having a first end coupled to the second end of the transparent portion; wherein the first and second opposing walls are joined together at respective second ends, together forming an ogive shape in cross-section about either side of a vertical center axis, and wherein each of the first and second opposing walls comprise a reflective surface thereon configured to reflect solar energy received through the transparent portion toward the vertical center axis; and an absorbing portion extending within the cross-section along the center vertical axis for at least a portion of its extent; wherein the first and second liquid conduits are located substantially parallel to each other and are coupled in fluid communication at first respective ends such that fluid passing through the first liquid conduit thereafter passes through the second liquid conduit.
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a locking tab protruding outwardly from a first opposing wall portion; and at least one opposing tab slot defined by a second opposing wall portion, wherein the at least one opposing tab slot is configured to receive the locking tab of a different solar collector pipe in removable engagement. 9. The solar collector pipe of
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a locking tab protruding outwardly from a first opposing wall portion; and at least one opposing tab slot defined by a second opposing wall portion, wherein the at least one opposing tab slot is configured to receive the locking tab of a different solar collector pipe in removable engagement. 18. The solar energy collection system of
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1. Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of solar energy collection, and more specifically, to a solar collector pipe.
2. Background Art
With the increasing cost of conventional fuel and energy for heating and cooling, much attention has been directed to the possibility of the use of sunlight as a source of energy for heating. Assorted solar water heating systems have previously been provided. For example, some conventional solar water heating systems involve a box which uses a transparent glass plate as a top surface of the box. Inside the box, a plurality of round black PVC pipes are placed in a snake-like pattern, back and forth through the box. Other conventional solar water heating systems involve a water-containing, round, black tube heated by solar radiation in the center of a space defined by a solar energy collector.
Both of these types of conventional solar water heating systems are placed in a location exposed to the sun, such as on the roof of a home, and water pipes, such as for a back-yard pool, are attached to either end of the round pipe network. When the sun shines down through the glass on the top of the box or through the solar energy collector, heat energy is absorbed by the black pipes inside the box or collector. The heat energy is then transmitted to the water flowing inside the pipes, thereby eventually heating the water.
These conventional solar water heating systems, however, have certain drawbacks. Conventional systems are inefficient in energy collection. That is, they do not collect and transfer solar energy efficiently and directly to the water. Thus, whatever form the solar energy absorbing element may take (e.g. black, water-containing tube), it is inherently inefficient and is continually losing a significant portion of the absorbed energy by the well known mechanisms of convection, conduction and radiation. The interaction of these heat loss mechanisms limits both the amount of energy transmitted by the absorber to the internal adjacent fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid.
Conventional systems are also expensive to manufacture and difficult to install, requiring a substantial amount of labor on site during installation, thereby resulting in a system which is difficult and expensive to maintain. For example, conventional pipe and box systems are inordinately large (i.e. 12 ft.×24 ft.×8 in.), often covering significant portions of the structure being heated, and are expensive (i.e. $6000-$10,000). The size of the box presents a variety of problems. A significant amount of space must be provided to house such components. Furthermore, since such components are generally relatively heavy, the supporting structure must often be strengthened in some way to accommodate the excess weight of the components involved.
In an effort to overcome these size disadvantages, other types of solar energy collector systems have been developed which attempt to eliminate the need for large flat pipe and box systems of the type previously described. These solar energy collector systems, however, while often reduced in size, generally involve a combination of dissimilar structural elements which are often costly and complex. This also leads to many of the disadvantages previously described in conjunction with the large flat pipe and box systems.
Therefore, what is needed is a highly efficient solar collector which is easy to manufacture and assemble, is easy to maintain and replace damaged components, and is structured of inexpensive materials, thereby overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional solar heating systems. The invention solves these problems through a solar collector pipe that directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid.
In association with one embodiment of present invention, a solar collector pipe includes a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe. Internal to the solar collector pipe is an absorbing portion for absorbing solar energy. A conduit portion is also included and comprises a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. The transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid.
Accordingly, the solar collector pipe of this invention has many advantages, one of which is that it is highly efficient. That is, by providing a transparent portion and a conduit portion (with an internal reflecting surface) with certain shapes, such as parabolic shapes, solar energy is appropriately directed to the absorbing portion, especially if it is located along a vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe. Thus, fluid within the solar collector pipe may be heated directly by the solar energy transmitted through the transparent portion, as well as by reflected energy from the reflecting surface of the conduit portion and through heat transfer from the heat absorbing portion. Additionally, the solar collector pipe of the present invention is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture, assemble, maintain, and repair.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following more particular description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:
Although the present invention may be readily adapted to a variety of embodiments of a solar collector pipe, with reference to
Solar collector pipe 1 directly conveys internal fluid 20 to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to fluid 20, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to fluid 20 and the peak temperature attainable by fluid 20. Solar collector pipe 1 includes transparent portion 5 for admitting solar energy into solar collector pipe 1. Absorbing portion 10 for absorbing solar energy is internal to solar collector pipe 1. Conduit portion 15 is also included and comprises reflecting surface 16 thereon for reflecting solar energy received through transparent portion 5 onto absorbing portion 10. In one embodiment, solar collector pipe 1 has an overall size of approximately a 4" height by a 4" width. However, other embodiments of solar collector pipe 1 comprise many other smaller and larger sizes depending upon the particular application, and the individual components of solar collector pipe 1 may be any size as well.
Transparent portion 5 may be any shape, but for particular embodiments of the invention forms one of an arc shape, a cambered shape, a parabolic shape, a catenary shape, and a semi-elliptical shape in cross-section. As depicted in
As depicted in
Notwithstanding the foregoing, there are many other embodiments of absorbing portion 10. In some embodiments, absorbing portion 10 is located anywhere in solar collector pipe 1 that is conducive to receiving solar radiation, and therefore, is not limited to being located on a vertical center axis of solar collector pipe 1. Moreover, in another embodiment, absorbing portion 10 comprises a plurality of absorbing portions. Upper portion 12 of absorbing portion 10 forms a T-shape and a Y-shape in the embodiments depicted in
Conduit portion 15 comprises opposing wall portions 17 and 18 on either side of a vertical center axis of solar collector pipe 1 and a reflecting surface 16 thereon. Conduit portion 15 may be any shape, but in particular embodiments of the invention opposing wall portions 17 and 18 together form one of an ogive shape, a dropped ogive shape, an equilateral ogive shape, a lancet ogive shape, and an arc shape in cross-section. As depicted in
Reflecting surface 16 may be integral or unitary with conduit portion 15. Alternatively, reflecting surface 16 may be integrally joined to conduit portion 15 and comprise the inside or outside surface of conduit portion 15, or reflecting surface 16 may be coupled to the inside or outside surface of conduit portion 15. Thus, conduit portion 15 may comprise an inside, integral, or outside reflecting surface.
As depicted in the square or rectangular base embodiment of conduit portion 15 in
At least one opposing tab slot 23 is configured to receive locking tab 23 of an opposing wall portion of a different solar collector pipe in removable engagement such that the adjoining surfaces of each solar collector pipe abut against at least portions of one another. However, as specifically depicted in
Transparent portion 5 may be formed of any of many different types of solar radiation-transmissive materials, such as glass and transparent composites, polymers, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, or other plastic materials known in the art for example. Absorbing portion 10 may be formed of any of many different types of solar energy absorbing materials, such as dark or black: glass, composites, polymers, polycarbonates, polystyrenes or other plastic materials known in the art, or vitreous ceramic materials formed of clay and various fluxes for example. Alternatively, absorbing portion 10 may have a dark or black coating layer thereon, such as chrome black. Conduit portion 15 may be formed of any of many different types of fluid conveying materials that can readily be formed into shaped objects, such as composites, polymers, polycarbonates, polystyrenes or other plastic materials known in the art for example, vitreous ceramic materials formed of clay and various fluxes, metals, such as corrosion-resistant metals like zinc or magnesium, or alloys, such as aluminum. Reflecting surface 16 may be formed of any of many different types of solar energy reflecting materials, such as Al, Cu, Pb, Ag, or Au for example. Reflecting surface 16 may be formed by a curved, polished sheet or flexible foil of such materials which is formed on the inside or outside surface of conduit portion 15, or may be a layer or coating of such materials on the inside or outside surface of conduit portion 15. Alternatively, the materials forming reflecting surface 16 may be integrally mixed with the materials forming conduit portion 15.
The components defining any solar collector pipe embodiment of the invention may be manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve either extrusion, injection molding, casting, milling, or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be sealingly coupled with one another in any manner known in the art, such as with adhesive or a weld for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Accordingly, as depicted in the embodiment of
The solar collector pipe embodiments of the present invention provide for an improved and highly efficient process of heating fluid 20. This process includes conveying fluid 20 to be heated through a solar collector pipe of the present invention configured to admit solar energy to fluid 20 through transparent portion 5. Fluid 20 conveyed within solar collector pipe 1 may be any desired heat retaining fluid, such as, for example, air, water, oil, gel, a food-grade antifreeze mixture or any combination of such fluids. Thus, as fluid 20 to be heated is conveyed through solar collector pipe, fluid 20 may be in direct contact with at least a portion of absorbing portion 10 and at least a portion of reflective surface 16 if reflecting surface 16 is integral with or coupled to an inside surface of conduit portion 15 as previously described. Alternatively, fluid 20 may be in direct contact with at least a portion of absorbing portion 10 and at least a portion of conduit portion 15 if reflecting surface 16 is coupled to an outside surface of conduit portion 15 as previously described. As solar energy is then admitted into solar collector pipe 1 through transparent portion 5, fluid 20 is heated in any two of a direct manner, a direct reflective manner, and a conductive manner.
More specifically and for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, internal fluid 20 is in direct contact with at least a portion of reflecting surface 16 coupled to an inside surface of conduit portion 15 and at least a portion of absorbing portion 10, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Notwithstanding, fluid 20 may further be in direct contact with at least a portion of transparent portion 5, or completely fill solar collector pipe 1, as depicted in
Turning to
Turning now to
For the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, mounting bracket 30 embodiments depicted in
Opposing engaging members 34 and 35 of mounting bracket 30 include upper retaining portions 36 and 37 respectively protruding inward towards the vertical center axis of mounting bracket 30. Upper retaining portions 36 and 37 are configured to removably retain solar collector pipe 1 when it is removably mounted by opposing engaging members 34 and 35. That is, upper retaining portions 36 and 37 snap over the edges of solar collector pipe 1 formed where opposing wall portions 17 and 18 meet with transparent portion 5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, other embodiments of the mounting bracket of the invention may not include upper retaining portions 36 and 37.
Various embodiments of mounting brackets of the invention exist for improving the collection efficiency and/or concentration of solar energy by proper orientation of a solar collector pipe of the present invention. The solar collector pipe may operate efficiently with no required adjustment of tilt angle. Accordingly, mounting bracket 30 embodiments is of
Alternatively, solar collector pipe 1 may be arranged movably, pivoting along with the position of the sun, with a view to an optimal incidence of solar radiation. To achieve this necessary performance, engaging members 34 and 35 of mounting bracket 30 may be integrally joined together at their lower portions, thereby forming unitary engaging member 33 as depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 7. Unitary engaging member 33 is adjustable on base 32 between a plurality of angles. In the embodiment of
In another embodiment of mounting bracket 30, mounting bracket 30 comprises a square or rectangular base embodiment similar to square or rectangular base embodiment of conduit portion 15 in FIG. 5. Particularly in this mounting bracket 30 embodiment, opposing engaging member 34 of
The at least one opposing tab slot is configured to receive a locking tab of an opposing engaging member of a different mounting bracket in removable engagement, such that the adjoining surfaces of each mounting bracket abut against at least portions of one another. However, the at least one opposing tab slot may comprise a plurality of tab slots, each of which is configured to receive a locking tab of an opposing engaging member of a different mounting bracket in removable engagement such that the different mounting bracket may be positioned to account for a plurality of structural angles. Additionally, opposing engaging members 34 and 35 of this square or rectangular base embodiment may be formed of any of many different types of insulative materials that eliminate conduction and convection heat losses, such as hardened foam. Alternatively, opposing engaging members 34 and 35 may each define an internal space therein that may be filled with insulative materials, such as hardened foam.
Mounting brackets of the invention may be formed of any of many different types of materials that can readily be formed into shaped objects, such as composites, polymers, polycarbonates, polystyrenes or other plastic materials known in the art for example, vitreous ceramic materials formed of clay and various fluxes, metals, such as corrosion-resistant metals like zinc or magnesium, or alloys, such as aluminum, or any other material that is sufficiently resilient to allow solar collector pipe 1 to be snapped into engaging members 34 and 35 with upper retaining portions 36, yet sufficiently rigid to hold solar collector pipe 1 securely in place.
Mounting bracket components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. These components may be manufactured by extrusion, injection molding, casting, milling, or the like. Mounting brackets may be cut into or form distinct sections to be placed at select locations along the entire length of solar collector pipe 1. These distinct sections may have a width of approximately 1", although they may have any smaller or larger width. Mounting brackets may then be coupled to a structure by using, for example, adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a screw, nail, bolt, etc.), or any other coupling mechanism, depending on the particular material forming mounting brackets and the material forming the structure, among other considerations. If screws are to be used, as in the embodiments depicted in
This invention also includes a pipe connector for use with solar collector pipes of the invention. Turning now to
Referring to
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in other pipe connector embodiments of the present invention, body 42 may form an angular shape in the range of 0°C (e.g., pipe connector 43 in
Pipe connector embodiments 40, 41, and 43, as well as other pipe connector embodiments, may be formed of any of many different types of materials that can readily be formed into shaped objects, such as composites, polymers, polycarbonates, polystyrenes or other plastic materials known in the art for example, vitreous ceramic materials formed of clay and various fluxes, metals, such as corrosion-resistant metals like zinc or magnesium, or alloys, such as aluminum, or any other material fluid conveying material.
The components defining pipe connector embodiments 40, 41, and 43, as well as other pipe connector embodiments, may be manufactured separately and then assembled together, or may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously starts with either extrusion, injection molding, casting, milling, or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be sealingly coupled with one another in any manner known in the art, such as with an adhesive or a weld for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components.
The solar collector pipe according to the invention may additionally be incorporated in a solar energy collection system and embodiments thereof. Although the present invention may be readily adapted to a variety of embodiments of a solar energy collection system, with reference to
Solar collector pipe 1 has previously been described. As such, the at least two solar collector pipes 1 of solar energy collection system 60 each generally comprise: transparent portion 5 for admitting solar energy therethrough; absorbing portion 10 therein for absorbing solar energy; and conduit portion 15 comprising reflecting surface 16 thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. Transparent portion 5, conduit portion 15, and absorbing portion 10 together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in an alternative embodiment of a solar energy collection system of the invention, a plurality of solar collector pipes 1 are joined together in a fixed immovable relationship to each other in a unitary body. The unitary solar energy collection system may be used in any application that solar energy collection system 60 may be used in as previously or hereinafter described. Each solar collector pipe 1 in each unitary body comprises transparent portion 5, absorbing portion 10, and conduit portion 15 similar to the components of solar energy collection system 60 as previously described. For each unitary body, the joined solar collector pipes 1 are comprised of an integrally formed lower member formed of conduit portions 15 and an integrally formed top member formed of cover portions 5.
The top member and lower member defining a unitary body may be manufactured separately and then assembled together, or may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may include any of extrusion, injection molding, casting, milling, or the like. If the components are manufactured separately, they may then be sealingly coupled with one another in any manner known in the art, such as with an adhesive or a weld for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components.
Solar energy collection system 60 may further comprise at least one mounting bracket 30, as previously described, for removably mounting the at least two solar collector pipes 1 of solar energy collection system 60 against a structure. As such, at least one mounting bracket 30 may be positioned at one of a 22.5°C angle and a 45°C angle from a horizontal lower axis of at least one mounting bracket 30 for example. At least one mounting bracket 30 may also be adjustable between a plurality of angles as another example.
Solar energy collection system 60 may still further comprise at least one pipe connector, such as pipe connector embodiments 40, 41, and 43, as well as other pipe connector embodiments, as previously described. Accordingly, the at least one pipe connector may connect at least two solar collector pipes 1 of solar energy collection system 60 together in fluid flow communication (e.g., pipe connectors 40 and 43 of FIG. 13). Moreover, the at least one pipe connector may connect one of at least two solar collector pipes 1 of solar energy collection system 60 together with cylindrical pipe 62 or 64 in fluid flow communication (e.g., pipe connector 41 of FIG. 13).
Solar energy collection system 60 may yet further comprise a heating system coupled thereto in fluid flow communication. The heating system is for utilizing heated fluid from solar energy collection system 60 in order to heat an area, such as a room within a structure, a pool, or the like. Solar energy collection system 60 concerns any known embodiments of heating system installations for utilizing the solar heated fluid generated.
Accordingly, the heating system may include a thermal storage device for storing heated fluid from solar energy collection system 60, such as a hot water heater tank, gas water tank, insulated tank, or the like. The thermal storage device is coupled directly or indirectly with the heating system and solar energy collection system 60 in fluid flow communication. The heating system may also include a pump for circulating fluid through solar energy collection system 60 and the heating system. The pump is coupled with the heating system and solar energy collection system 60 in fluid flow communication, and may be any pump for circulating fluid, such as a pool pump, a heat pump, an in-line purge pump for a radiant floor heating system, a sensor-controlled pump, or the like. The heating system may also include a heat circulation system within the area to be heated coupled with the heating system in fluid flow communication. Such a heat circulation system may be radiant floor heating (or Hydronic) tubes embedded in the flooring of a structure, air ducts, or the like.
For some installations, it is most convenient to store the heated fluid in an insulated tank at ground level, rather than at roof-top level. Therefore it becomes convenient to use a sensor-controlled fluid pump to circulate the heat-exchange fluid appropriately. Many standard, simple circuits exist for comparing the fluid temperatures in the tank and solar energy collection system 60, and causing the pump to act only when it is beneficial for it to do so. Particular advantages of this program are evident for the retrofitting of solar energy collection system 60 to an existing hot water system. Embodiments of the present invention do not require a new hot-water tank, and they permit the use of the existing gas or electric system as backup without extensive modification. The ability of the sensor-controlled pump, combined with solar energy collection system 60, to produce and store hotter water than that available from a conventional flat-plate collector, permits a solar hot-water system to use a smaller hot water storage tank than is normally recommended.
In the installation in
Still referring to FIG. 13 and as an alternative radiant floor heating installation, heated fluid from solar energy collection system 60 may flow through the embedded tubing via thermosiphon, thereby warming the thermal mass of the concrete and heating the area from the floor up. Thermosiphon is a natural flow of water that results from water being heated and allowed to rise convectively as part of a circulation plan in a closed-loop radiant floor heating system. For example, water heated in solar energy collection system 60 will naturally want to rise, effectively both pushing and pulling at cooler water in a circulation pattern, thereby moving heated water from solar energy collection system 60 to the tubing for use. However, a heating and circulation system designed to use solar-heated water that circulates by thermosiphon is susceptible to blockage by air bubbles. Accordingly, pump 66 may be a small in-line pump used for purging and clearing the blockage. In this embodiment, pump 66 will circulate water through the tubing fast enough to dislodge an air bubble. Typically, purge pump 66 only comes on when the system stagnates, and when circulation is restored, pump 66 shuts off.
Describing the use and installation of solar energy collection system 60 further, reference is made to FIG. 14. In
Accordingly, the solar collector pipe of the invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of previous conventional solar heating systems. The solar collector pipe is easy to manufacture and assemble, is easy to maintain and replace damaged components, and is structured of inexpensive materials. In specific embodiments of the invention, a solar collector pipe system may be assembled even more easily than a conventional sprinkler system for example because it has no sprinkler heads. Moreover, the solar collector pipe directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid. Specifically, by providing a transparent portion and a conduit portion (with a reflecting surface thereon) of the solar collector pipe with certain shapes, such as parabolic shapes, solar energy is appropriately directed to the absorbing portion, especially if it is located along a vertical center axis of the solar collector pipe. Thus, fluid within the solar collector pipe may be heated directly by the solar energy transmitted through the transparent portion, as well as by reflected energy from the reflecting surface of the conduit portion and through heat transfer from the heat absorbing portion.
The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims. Accordingly, unless otherwise specified, any components of the present invention indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possible components and not as a limitation. Similarly, unless otherwise specified, any steps or sequence of steps of the method of the present invention indicated herein are given as examples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not as limitations.
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